Every legendary NBA player has a unique set of skills, and discussing them often leads to passionate debates. For instance, Shaquille O'Neal was once asked to assess how a one-on-one game between Michael Jordan and LeBron James would play out and, more importantly, who would win.
According to "Diesel," LeBron is a versatile player who could play like Magic Johnson, but if it comes down to it, Jordan would still prevail.
"It would be an interesting game," O'Neal said in 2015. "Young LeBron was more like Magic Johnson. He was sort of like Magic with Jordan's abilities. He liked to pass, and he liked to get it up. But Mike was Mike. He was just special—like no one else. He always did things no one else could do and things you couldn't compare to anyone else. So, he was special, and he'd win."
"Dr. J" over MJ and LeBron
O'Neal may be one of the most outspoken NBA personalities, but he has always held a deep respect for the legends of the game. Like others, Shaq acknowledges that James and Jordan stand out as two of the greatest players of all time. He also recognizes that the pair's impact on the sport is undeniable, but when it comes to his personal favorite, the legendary big man always picks Julius Erving .
According to O'Neal, "Dr. J" doesn't get the credit he truly deserves whenever people talk about the greatest of all time. However, that doesn't change where Erving stands in his GOAT list.
"I've seen young Mike and young LeBron, and I must say 'Dr. J' is still my favorite player," the four-time champion added. "A lot of people today don't even mention his name, but to me, I still think he was the best. But these are questions that we'll never know the answer to. It's a bit like if I met Bruce Lee in an alleyway. Who would win? You'll never know. Some people say, 'Well, Bruce would kick Shaq's a*s.' Some people say, 'Well, Shaq is two times bigger than Bruce Lee.' It's a good question, a good conversation, but we'll never know."
Erving paved the way
Like Jordan and James in their respective eras, Erving was also a transformative figure in the sport. With his acrobatic dunks and graceful playing style, "Dr. J" quickly won the hearts of hoops fans, especially aspiring basketball stars like O'Neal, when he was growing up.
Indeed, MJ and LeBron took the game to another level during the pinnacle of their careers. While that remains a fact, Shaq still looks up to Julius for playing a crucial role in popularizing the game and influencing countless players, including himself.
It's understandable that "The Doctor" is the star in O'Neal's best basketball memories. In fact, Shaq still vividly recalls receiving a Dr. J-signed basketball from his dad on Christmas day.
"Best present he got me was autographed 'Dr. J' ball. 'Dr. J' was my man," O'Neal said in an interview with Graham Bensinger. "… Everybody is out opening presents, and I thought I wasn't getting a present, and he opens a door and says let's go play some ball, BOOM, and there was 'Dr. J' Ball."
"Couple of weeks after that, he got some Knick tickets. 'Dr. J' goes baseline, throws it down, crowd goes crazy. That's when I said, 'Okay, that's what I wanna do.' I am a changed man. From that day on, no more juvenile delinquent tried better in school, stayed out of trouble. I want that; I want people to scream my name," he recalled.
Legends of the game
Even if O'Neal has always been biased toward Erving, it's also true that "Dr. J" is one of the greatest one-on-one players of all time. Moreover, only a few would disagree that Jordan and James join Erving in that special category.
Each legend brought a unique style, skill set, and competitive spirit to the court. However, it's safe to say that MJ, LeBron, and "Dr. J" revolutionized the one-on-one game with their unmatched scoring ability and dominance. Their individual styles and approaches have not only entertained fans but have also influenced how basketball is played today.
Related: "I would not have been a basketball player" - LeBron James said he owes everything to Michael Jordan and Julius Erving
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